Drama and Dance – Lent Term 2026

The Drama and Dance department has enjoyed another excitingly busy term: cutting edge curriculum plays, monologues and duologues culminating in the A Level and GCSE performance exams; playing host to a number of visiting prep schools who experienced Drama and Dance afternoons facilitated by our Drama Scholars; a theatre trip to see All My Sons and…a Lancing First in Mrs Gerstmeyer’s World Book Day promenade production in the library, featuring appearances by Oscar Wilde, Wilfred Owen and Virginia Woolf among others, all hosted by an excitable librarian weaving audiences in and amongst the site-specific bookshelves. Warm thanks to the Lower Sixth Drama set and friends!

Rehearsals for next term’s Junior Play – Arabian Nights – and a Lower Sixth play – Amadeus – are well underway, as are preparations for the annual April Dance Show and a Musical Theatre Cabaret as part of Founder’s Day Arts Week. In the final week of term a Motion’s Eleven-strong troupe of our top dancers took part in the Worthing Pavilion Time To Dance festival with a sensational rendition of a new dance piece created by Rachel and Abi to This Is Me from The Greatest Showman.

Meanwhile, the main house production proudly presented the 2026 Donald Bancroft One Act Plays. Tom C directed his winning play, To Be Heard, and runner-up Imari D presented her Paper Horizons, both featuring winning and supportive casts and technical support from across the year groups. As ever, we were delighted to be joined by Donald Bancroft’s daughter Rosalind and grandson Alex for this annual celebration of pupil-led dramatic creativity.

Alex G and Mercy M reflect on the productions:

To Be Heard was a performance that proved tremendously moving for its audience in a superbly acted production of an incredible piece of dramatic writing. The play conveyed the sadness that comes with hiding the truth and taking refuge – whether in silence or in alcohol – in a doomed attempt to fix your problems. The story of Simon Hallow, played by Albie T, movingly showed the trauma of a loving relationship gone sour, his anguish demonstrating just how deeply the betrayal was felt.

As I looked around the theatre when Simon finally broke down I saw many people tearing up as the emotion was overwhelming. I myself couldn’t help but feel very sorry for Simon in his devastation upon revealing that he was assaulted. Monty T, playing Simon’s father Adrian, touchingly portrayed both his deep sadness and his empathy, amounting to the desperation he had to make his son feel better. His wife Evelyn, bravely played by Piper P, was also clearly distraught with demons of her own, drinking her way through her family’s problems. Rafe C’s sympathetic therapist Gabriel was also a very well written character who really wanted to help Simon but had to contend with Evelyn’s bitterly suspicious homophobia.

The play was expertly written by Tom, featuring believable dialogue and an extraordinary showstopping monologue; it included examples of modern day issues and topics exceptional in their timeliness. It felt so natural and so authentically written that it didn’t feel scripted in the slightest; rather it felt like life was happening in front of the audience’s eyes. Personally, I thought that the play impacted every member of the audience, with everyone leaving in awe of the writing as well as the performance.
Alex G

I want to start by saying well done to all involved in Paper Horizons: this was an appealing, and one could say exquisite, play. I particularly enjoyed the themes explored throughout, one of which was ‘finding a voice for oneself’. Thomas (Ryley G) clearly expresses his dismay and distress over August’s leaving to go off to art school. Initially, August (Phoebe B), as well as the audience, was led to believe that this was due to a feeling of envy and perhaps bitterness that Thomas may be feeling due to August having something for herself. However, it was later revealed that it was a result of Thomas’s lack of voice, and August being the person who consistently spoke up for him. Vinnie (Leo H) was the mediator of the trio of friends, remaining spiritedly supportive throughout.

I think that this was a great theme to explore as it’s something that resonated with the audience, ranging from 13-18 years old, as this is the age at which most people begin to build up a sense of self and a voice for themselves. I enjoyed the entirety of the play, and feel as though the consideration of this theme, which may have gone unnoticed, was one that was truly thoughtful and, at the same time, made watching Paper Horizons a riveting experience.
Mercy M